Crowns And Bridges

Cranford Dental Arts

Jayshree Sawhney, DDS

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry located in Cranford, NJ

Crowns and bridges restore missing, injured, and decayed teeth, prevent oral health problems, and improve the appearance of your smile. At Cranford Dental Arts in Cranford, New Jersey, Jayshree Sawhney, DDS, and the team of experienced dentists places comfortable, natural-looking crowns and bridges. For more information about crowns, bridges, and other restorative dental procedures, schedule an appointment online or over the phone.

Crowns and Bridges

What are crowns?

Dental crowns are a type of restoration that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. Teeth with crowns look like healthy natural teeth.

Crowns can be made of several different materials, including porcelain and zirconia. Your dentists may test you for sensitivities and allergies to ensure that your crown is made of a material that’s safe for you.

Your dentist may recommend a crown if you’ve undergone a root canal to protect the restored tooth. Crowns can also protect a cracked or worn tooth from further damage. If you have a cavity that’s too large for a filling, you may need a crown instead.

Crowns can prevent complications, including decay, problems with speech and chewing, and changes to the position of your other teeth. With proper care and dental hygiene, they can last well over a decade.

What is the process to place a crown?

Crowns require two appointments at Cranford Dental Arts. At the first appointment, your dentist removes any decay, shapes your tooth so it can fit the crown, and places a temporary crown to protect your tooth. Your dentist also takes impressions, which a dental lab uses to make a permanent crown.

At the second appointment, your dentist removes your temporary crown and fits the permanent crown. Once the crown is in place, your dentist bonds the crown to your tooth using dental cement.

What are bridges?

Dental bridges are fixed appliances that use the teeth surrounding a missing tooth for support. Bridges may attach to natural teeth or artificial teeth. If you have multiple missing or damaged teeth, your dentist can place implants or crowns, which then support a bridge.

Bridges may be a more suitable option than crowns depending on where you have missing teeth. Though bridges traditionally include a metal framework, your dentist may recommend non-metallic materials that are less visible and may be safer.

What’s the process to get a dental bridge?

Bridges require two or three appointments depending on the necessary preparation. Your dentist must remove some of the enamel from the surrounding teeth to fit the bridge. If your dentist is using crowns, your dentist must install the crowns before placing the bridge.

Once your teeth are ready to accommodate the bridge, your dentist takes impressions. A dental lab uses the impressions to create a bridge that precisely fits your teeth. At your next appointment, once your permanent bridge is ready, your dentist bonds it to your teeth or crowns.

To find out if crowns or bridges are right for you, schedule an appointment at Cranford Dental Arts online or over the phone.